Receptacle for tape



Feb. 20, 1962 A. P. SCHOLTZ RECEPTACLE FOR TAPE Filed Jan. 8, 1958 AI THU M United States Patent Ofiice 3,021,987 Patented Feb. 2c, 1962 3,021,987 RECEPTACLE FOR TAPE Arthur P. Schultz, Chicago, Ill., assignor to National Can Corporation, Chicago, 11],, a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 8, 1958, Ser. No. 707,713 6 Claims. (Cl. 22525) This invention relates to a device for dispensing tape from a roll. In particular it has reference to a magazine for receiving a roll of tape and means for facilitating the withdrawal and tearing of a desired length thereof. Such devices may be used for example, in oflices for dispensing pressure sensitive tape for sealing packages, by electricians for dispensing insulating tape, by painters for dispensing masking tape, etc.

The invention is best understood by reference to one field of use to which the device is ideally adapted. Electricians customarily carry a roll of insulating tape hung on a chain and bar forming an attachment of the tool kit worn on the person. After withdrawal and severance of a length of tape the stub remaining on the roll will, nearly always, be returned to the roll proper, if not by design then by the motion of the suspended roll as the tool kit is shifted. Thus, the next operation requires the location of the cut end which is time-consuming, as the color of the tape, e.g'. black, blends the cut end into obscurity; and the bothersome lifting of the cut end outwardly as a tab constitutes an additional nuisance.

My invention has for its principal object the provision of a tape magazine having means for rapidly dispensing a length of tape therefro Another object is to provide a device as aforesaid including means for automatically providing a stub to facilitate withdrawal of a subsequent length of tape.

A further object is to provide a device in accordance with the foregoing having indicia to guard against misuse.

Another object is to provide a device for dispensing tape which is adapted to be carried on the person in a readily accessible manner. Y

Other objects will appear from the ensuing description which, taken with the accompanying drawing illustrates a preferred form which the invention may assume in practice.

In this drawing:

FIG. 1 is a front side elevation of the device;

FIG. 2 is a view from the edge to show certain of the operational features;

FIG. 3 is a cross section taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 to illustrate one operative position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5 to illustrate the other operative position;

FIG. 5 is a cross section takenon the line 5-5 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a detail of portions of the device as seen in FIG. 2 to show the same in the other operative position.

Regarded broadly the invention comprises an outer cylindrical cup and an inner cylindrical cup received telescopically and rotatably therein for movement between two positions hereinafter sometimes referred to as Tear and Dont Tear positions. Suitable means are provided intermediate the inner and relative rotation to a predetermined are which means may also serve to retain the cups in operative relation, although separate means are within-contemplation. The cups are provided with flanges to receive the spool upon which the tape is commercially supplied. The inner cup has a slot in its lateral wall through which the free end of the tape is first passed for dispensing and the tape is then passed through an opening in the lateral wall of the outer cup. One edge of such opening is employed for tearing and is desirably serrate to facilitate this step. In

order that a stub may always be made accessible for tearing a subsequent length of tape the lateral wall of the inner cup is provided with an opening so arranged that an end portion or stub of the tape is caused to remain beyond the tear line and overlying a part of the opening. Thatwall of the opening in the outer cup opposite the tearing edge is provided-with a. finger adapted for move ment into the opening in the-inner cup and beneath the stub when the two cups are'relatively rotated whereby the stub is lifted outwardly for easy grasping. "In order that the invention device shall function inthe intended manner it is necessary that the twooperative positions of the rotatable parts he observed for otherwise the stub will not be produced. To this end I provide visible indicia to indicate each of the two operative positions.

Turning now to the drawing I have shown, by way of example, a tape dispensing device in accordance with the principles of the invention comprising an outer cylindrical cup 10 of shell-like form and a'similar inner-cup 11 so arranged that the respective lateral walls 10a andlla are closely adjacent but sufficiently free to permit manual and digital relative rotation thereof and the lodgment of the stub therebetween.

The cups 10 and 11 may be assembled and disassembled simply by forcible movement-in the direction of the common axis. Retention of these parts'in operative relation may be eflected by various means but I prefer-to utilize a plurality of circumferentially elongate depressions 14in the wall 10a engaged with mating depressions 15 in the wall 11a. These depressions arecap'able of providing detent action to retain the cups in their opera tive relation and to serve as stops to limit movement of the cups over a predetermined are between the two on erative positions and as will appear. To this end the depressions 15 are sufliciently" longer than the depressions 14. Inasmuch as the walls 10a and 11a may be of thin gauge material the depressions 14 and 15 may be readily engaged and disengaged by momentary deformation of the walls.

The cup -11 is provided with an annular protuberance 21, e.g. triangular in radial cross section provided with radial ribs 22 for improving digital grip whereby the cup 10 may be grasped in one hand while the cup 11 may be rotated by the -fingers of the other hand. Any other suitable means may be'used for gripping the cup 11, e.g. holes or depressions for receiving the finger tips. v

Each of the cups 10and llis provided with an annular flange 25 adapted jointly to receive a spool 26 of the tape 27 to be dispensed. If desired the flanges 25 may be'of stepped configuration, frusto-conical or of other suitable form to receive various widths and diameters of spools.

It will be understood that as the 'tape is dispensed the outer cups for limiting the v spool 26 will rotate on the flanges 25. Moreover the axial opening defined by the flanges 25 permits the entire device to be carried on a support, e.g. the bar and chain used by electricians.

Dispensing of the tape occurs with the parts as shown in FIG. 3. As there illustrated a length 27a of tape has been fed through a slot 31 in the lateral Wall 11a, through a substantially rectangular opening 33 in the lateral wall 10a and has been drawn out of the dispenserto, the required length plus some additional amount to provide the stub, e.g. about /2. To avoid snagging of the tape the leading edge 32 of the slot 31-is preferably bent on a curve as shown. 1

Following withdrawal of the tape in the manner just described but prior to severing the same from the supply the cups 10 and 11 are contrarotated to the position of FIG. 4 thereby drawing about /2" of the tape between the lateral walls 10a and 11a where itis lodged pends ing a succeeding operation.- Theresulting stub is cated at 27B. The tape may then be torn on the serrated edge 35 of the opening 33.

i To withdraw a subsequent length of tape the cups and 11 are rotated from the position of FIG. 4 to that of FIG. 3. Thestub heretofore referred to has, due to its backing become adherent to the outer surface of the lateral wall 11a, or if the tape is not of 'cementitious character the stub will be seized between the walls 10a and 110. In either event the invention includes means for raising the stub to a position where it may be easily grasped for withdrawing a succeeding length.

To this end the lateralwall 11a is provided with an opening 41 and a finger 42 extending from the wall 10a, e.g. from a margin of the opening 33. Finger 42 is in- Wardly deformed in such degree that, during relative rotation of the cups'lfl and 11, the distal end of the same lies within the plane of'the opening 41. The relative rotation, of the cups 10 and 11 is determined so that the' stub overlies the opening 41 .to atline just short of the inwardly-extending distal end of the finger 42, i.e. when the parts are in the position of FIG. 4. Hence, as the cups are rotated from the position ofFIG. 4 to that of FIG. 3 the finger 42 is carried below the stub and the stub rides over the finger thereby to elevate the stub outwardly to a position where it may be easily grasped to initiate a subsequent operation. Inasmuch as the finger 42 is flexible it cannot interfere with assembly and dis-assembly of the cups.

Byre'ason of'the arrangement just described the necessary stub end for starting the withdrawal of a new length of tape is always at hand in a readily accessible location.

It willbe obvious that the alternate contra-rotation of the cups 10 and 11 can be very quickly developed as a correct habit. However, tocounteract any forgetful tendency on the part of the user the present invention includes visual indicia to remind him when the parts are in incorrect positions. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6 the lateral wall 10a is pierced by a window 51 adapted to register with alternate inscriptions Tear and Dont Tear in the adjoining lateral wall 11a. It will be apparent that when the parts are in the position of FIG. 4 the tape may be torn, as then the desired stub is lodged between the cups. In this case the indicium Tear will appear in the window but when the tape is simply being withdrawn from the spool (FIG. 3) the indicium Dont Tear will be visible. If desired, equivalent tactile indications may be employed.

Whilel have shown a particular embodiment of my invention,-it will be understood, of course, that I do not wish to be limited thereto since many modifications may be made and, I therefore contemplate by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

v I claim:

l. A tape. dispenser comprising inner and outer cylindrical cup members in relatively rotatable telescoped assemblywith their lateral walls contiguous, means on at leastone of the cup members for engagement by the fingers of one hand to facilitate relative rotation of the cup. members while the fingers of the other hand grasp the other cup member, flange means centrally on said members, said dispenser being adapted to receive a roll of tape within the cup members and freely rotatably Support the roll on said flange means, the lateral wall of the inner cup member having an axial slot and the lateral wall of the outer cup member providing an opening having an axial margin adapted to constitute a tape tearing edge, relatively engaging means on the cup members limiting relative rotation of the members to and between a tape withdrawal position wherein said slot is substantially exposed in said opening adjacent said tape tearing edge thereof, and a second position wherein said slot is beneath the lateral wall of the outer cup member in predetermined spaced relation to said tearing edge of t peni g, the lead end of the tape from a spool withtending slot for outward passage of tape in the dispenser being extendable outwardly through said slot and opening in said tape withdrawal position of the cup members, for tape withdrawal in desired length, relative rotation of the cup members to said second position disposing a portion of the tape in extension between said slot and the tearing edge of said opening and forming a tape stub between the lateral walls of the inner andouter cup .members upon tape tear-ofi at said tearing edge, the lateral wall of said inner cup members having a second slot normal to said axial slot and spaced therefrom, and afiexible finger on the lateral wall of said outer cup membensaid finger projecting toward said radial slot in a position over said second slot and with its free end extending inwardly of the cup members through the second slot, relative rotation of the cup members to said tape withdrawal position thereby displacing said tape stub into said opening and to engagement with said finger thereover, with resulting elevation of the tape stub by the finger to a position permitting ready grasp of the stub for tape withdrawal in desired length.

2. The combination in accordancewith claim 1, further characterized in that one of the said cup members is provided with spaced indicia, one indicative of the said tape withdrawal position of relation rotation of the said cup members and the other indicative of the said second position of relative rotation of the said cup members, and the other of the said cup members is provided with meanstfor visually revealing said indicia selectively in accordance with relative rotational disposition of the said cup members in respect to the said tape withdrawal and second positions thereof.

3. The combination in accordance with claim 1, wherein the said lateral wall of the inner cup member includes relatively spaced indicia one related to the function of the dispenser having the said cup members relatively rotated to said tape withdrawal position and the other related to the function of the dispenser having the said cup members relatively rotated to said tape withdrawal position and the other related to the function of the dispenser having the said cup members relatively rotated to said second position, and the said lateral wall of the outer cup member having a Window located therein for register with said One indicium in tape withdrawal position of the cup members, and'for register with said other indicia in said second position of the cup members.

4. A tape dispenser comprising a casing to receive a roll of tape, said casing comprising two cup-shaped portions each having a central flange and a cylindrical lateral wall, arranged in relatively rotatable assembly with the lateral Wall of one portion telescopically positioned over the lateral wall of the other portion and the flanges thereof in opposed adjacence, a roll of tape rotatably carried on said flanges, the inner lateral wall having an axially exfrom the roll, the outer lateral wall having an opening for passage of the tape outwardly of the casing, one margin of said opening providing a tape tearing edge, said inner lateral wall having a second slot substantially opposite said opening and extending in a direction normal to said axially extending slot, a flexible finger carried by said outer lateral wall and projecting over said second slot and inwardly of the casing therethrough, said cup-shaped'portions in a first position of relative rotation thereof, having said axially extending slot beneath said outer cylindrical wall and .s'paced'from-said tearing edge of said opening, the tape then in passage through said axially extending slot and between the inner and outer lateral walls to and outwardly through said opening and in engagement with said tearing edge, providing upon tear on of the outwardly extending end thereof, a stub end between said axially extending slot and said tearing edge of said opening, and said cup-shaped portions in relative rotation from said first position to a second position of relative rotation thereof displacing the axially extending slot to said tearing edge of said opening 0 and thereby projecting said tape stub end in said opening over and in contact With said finger, the finger elevating the stub end outwardly through said opening to a position permitting ready manual grasp of the stub end.

5. A tape dispenser comprising a casing having two separable cup-shaped portions being provided with an annular wall, the annular wall of one portion being telescoped into the annular wall of the other portion, said two portions being rotatable one on the other to first and second relative positions, the inner annular wall having an axially extending slot and a radial slot, the outer annular wall having an opening, tape-tearing means on said outer cup-shaped portion adjacent one margin of said opening, said cup-shaped portions in the first relative position having the axially extending slot underlying the outer annular Wall and being spaced from the opening, said axially extending slot underlying the opening when the cup-shaped portions are in the second relative position, and flexible finger means on the cup-shaped portion having the outer annular wall and projecting into said opening, said finger means having a part thereof projecting toward the inner annular wall and extending into said radial slot.

6. A tape dispenser comprising a casing to receive a roll of tape, said casing comprising two cup-shaped portions each having a central axial opening defined by an inwardly extending circular central flange and also having a circular cylindrical lateral wall, arranged in relatively rotatable assembly with the cylindrical wall of one portion concentric with and telescopically positioned over the cylindrical wall of the other portion and in close sliding relationship therewith and the flanges thereof in opposed adjacence, a roll of tape rotatably carried on said flanges, the inner lateral wall having an axially extending slot for outward passage of tape from the roll, the outer lateral wall having an opening for passage of the tape outwardly of the casing, one margin of said opening providing a tape tearing edge, said cup-shaped portions in a first position of relative rotation thereof, having said axially extending slot beneath said outer cylindrical wall and spaced from said tearing edge of said opening, the tape then in passage through said axially extending slot passing outwardly through said opening and being flexible backward into engagement with said tearing edge, and upon tear ofi of the outwardly extending end of the tape there being left, a stub end of tape between said axially extending slot and said tearing edge of said opening, and said cupshaped portions in relative rotation from said first position to a second position of relative rotation thereof displacing the axially extending slot to said tearing edge of said opening, and tape stub end engaging means for projecting said stub end radially outwardly during said displacing motion, said tape stub engaging means being spaced from the adjacent slot edge and said stub end bridging the space from the slot edge to the tape stub engaging means, one of the said cup-shaped portions having a Window, and the other of the said cup-shaped portions having relatively spaced indicia thereon, one such indicium appearing in said window in the said first position of relative rotation of the said cup-shaped portions, to indicate such position, and another such indicium appearing in said Window in the said second position of relative rotation of the said cup-shaped portions, to indicate such second position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,476,593 Gerbing July 19, 1949 2,547,569 Erhardt Apr. 3, 1951 2,582,422 Ewald Jan. 15, 1952 2,608,295 Krueger et al Aug. 26, 1952 2,612,322 Gall Sept. 30, 1952 2,681,186 Slawik June 15, 1954 2,704,640 Metzler et al Mar. 22, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 431,174 Great Britain July 2, 1935 538,261 Canada Mar. 19, 1957 746,924 Great Britain Mar. 21, 1956 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,021,987 February 2O 1962 Arthur P. Scholtz It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 4, line 24, strike out the comma; line 25 for "relation" read relative line 44L for "indieium" read indicia column 5 line 6 for 'beihg read each column 6, lines 18 and 20 for "indicium" eaeh occurrence read indicia Signed and sealed this 5th day of June 1962o (SEAL) meat:

ERNEST w. SWIDER DAVID LADD meeting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

